Dzeko strike sees Roma through on away goals

Edin Dzeko’s second-half strike proved enough to give Roma a 1-0 home win over 10-man Shakhtar Donetsk and book their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League on away goals.

The Ukrainians were defending a 2-1 lead from the first leg in Kharkiv, where they had come from behind.

However, there was to be no repeat of their win over the Italians to reach the last eight in 2011 as Dzeko settled the tie when he converted Kevin Strootman’s through-ball six minutes into the second half.

With 11 minutes left, Shakhtar defender Ivan Ordets was shown a straight red card for a hauling down the Roma frontman and any hopes of a dramatic comeback at the Stadio Olimpico went with him.

It was almost a nightmare start for Roma, though, when Alessandro Florenzi nodded a Shakhtar free-kick across the face of goal.

When Roma did break down the left through defender Aleksandar Kolarov, Shakhtar keeper Andrei Pyatov was able to palm the ball away from Dzeko at the near post.

There was another let-off for Roma on 33 minutes when Federico Fazio was robbed just inside his own half by Facundo Ferreyra, who raced into the penalty area but could only hack his shot wide as the Roma defender chased back.

Roma, though, got themselves in the driving seat on 52 minutes.

Strootman clipped a ball into the Shakhtar half and between the defenders. Dzeko needed no second invitation as he latched onto the pass before clipping a low shot through the legs of Pyatov at the edge of the penalty area.

Dzeko then whipped a curling shot just wide from 18 yards as Roma looked to kill off the tie.

On 79 minutes Shakhtar found themselves down to 10 men. Dzeko was again first to a through-ball, with Ordets dragging him down as the last man and shown a straight red card by the referee.

As tempers flared, Ferreyra was cautioned.

Shakhtar had a late chance to snatch victory after substitute Alan Patrick was fouled just outside the area, but the Brazilian’s free-kick hit the wall before, in stoppage time, Ismaily’s cross flew through the six-yard box.

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